School Reunion 2024

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Yes, it’s that time of year again! My annual School Reunion! 👍

Unlike last year’s event, where a) I travelled by car and b) Roger H travelled with me, for 2024, a couple of changes were made. First off, the journey by car last year was full of stops and starts (mostly ‘stops’) making it a three-hour affair and a very stressful drive. Considering it’s only 100-or-so miles, it wasn’t a good experience. Second, my friend and colleague Roger, who, like me, served for many years on the School Committee, unfortunately, was still recovering from some ill-health earlier this year.

All things considered, there was no way I was making the journey by CAR this time, and so based on Roger’s advice, I took the train from Kettering to St Pancras and then, a second connection to East Croydon, where I grabbed a cab to The Crescent. In earlier years when I’ve made the journey by train, it’s also been a torturous affair – Kettering – St Pancras – Victoria and then finally, Selhurst, but with temperatures forecast for the mid-20s, travelling by tube to Victoria wasn’t my idea of fun and therefore, Roger’s suggestion was spot on! 👍😀

Well, things didn’t start well today, with a ping on my phone when I woke up this morning! 🙁. EMR was telling me that my train was cancelled. Time for a ‘plan b’ and therefore a slightly earlier departure for Kettering Station. Continuing the theme of ‘disappointment’, on arrival at the platform just after 9, it looked like the whole of Northamptonshire had planned on getting the same train as me! And just to make it even more interesting (!!!) the tanoy announced they’d reduced the carriages to just FOUR. 😮

As expected then, it was ‘sardine time’ on the train all the way to London – but on the (rare?) plus side, because of the earlier departure, at least I was 15 minutes ahead of schedule. From that point onwards, things got better, and it all fell into place – and with connections at St Pancras working perfectly, I was exiting East Croydon Station at around 11.15.

Actually, I don’t think I’ve been inside East Croydon Station for nigh-on 50 years! It was unrecognisable and somehow looked and felt much larger. I couldn’t see any signage for taxis, but I eventually located the rank, now relocated on the side of the Station (they used to be out the front!) – Ahh! Progress! 🤔

2024’s Event

By 11.25, I was sitting pretty inside the Brit School. That’s just 2 hours, door-to-door! 😁👍

In 2024, attendance at the AGM is measured in dozens rather than hundreds and in so many ways, that’s a real shame. However, the lack of numbers is always made up for in a jovial atmosphere and a well-organised and interesting event – and where Cortland (my successor as Chair) together with the active Committee – Bob, John Valerie and Caroline always create a really good experience for those who choose to make the pilgrimage! 👍😀. Compared to my days in the Chair where things were much more formal, it now feels a closer and more intimate experience – and that’s a great thing! Best of all, Cortland has streamlined the AGM component to something far more slick and therefore productive, leaving more time for people to actually ‘reunite’! 😁

These days, the Reunions are held next door to the Boys’ School in the famous BRIT School (site of the old Girls’ School). They’ve got better facilities for events like ours and can cater more easily for the numbers.

The earlier train meant I was one of the first to arrive. It gave me an opportunity to grab a seat near to Reception and catch up with emails and then grab some time chatting with Cortland, Bob, John and Valerie in between their preparation duties. Perfect! 👍

Just after 12, I made my way to the room. Lesley had been hard at work getting the buffet table ready – and when the time came, at 12.30, it didn’t disappoint. The pork pies especially were yummy! 😋😋

I joined a table of fellow New Addington locals – Alan & Kay, Alan & Felicity with Keith and Ashley and we got down to the serious business of reminiscing about our time at Selhurst. During this time, I also had brief chats with Hazel D, Steve C, Tony T and Brian Y. This period immediately before the formal stuff was a great way to rekindle relationships and perhaps make new friends! 👍👍

At just before 2.30, our guest speaker, Simon Parnall (at the school from 1970-1977) began his presentation: The Development and Future of Digital Broadcasting and Online Media. It was a fascinating topic and although it was quite a complex presentation, we all felt it was an excellent session with plenty of questions from us all.

Following Simon’s entertaining and education presentation came the AGM which Cortland has now got down to a fine art in terms of duration. Let’s be honest, no-one really comes for the AGM and getting it all covered inside 20 minutes was well received by everyone!

In amongst the usual AGM-type content, a grateful (and well-deserved) thank-you was given to Lesley for her hard work on the catering.

At just before 4.30 with the business of the day concluded, I helped with the clearing up and then Bob dropped me back at East Croydon Station at just before 6pm. Another set of perfect connections followed and with Ann picking me up from Kettering Station, I was home with a sandwich and a beer by 7.15pm.

A great day! Thanks to all for another successful event👍